2015 Frugal Living Challenge

Needhelpsaving

Morning Wombatchops,

My daughter is too young to be at school, nor am I a teacher. However, I think the whole gift giving thing is silly. At most it should be optional, not compulsory.

I think a HM card would be a lovely idea, it shows time and effort of the child and if your LO wrote a message or her name that would show the teacher what she has learned throughout the year.

Besides with an average of 30 children in a uk class and that mother asking for £15 each - what kind of flowers is she buying? gold plated ones?

quidsy

My ds goes to private school,( mentioned only in context of general financial expenditure of most parents, not me ) and we have never gone more than £10 pp and that gets split between 2 teachers and 2 assistants. Anything more than that and I'd refuse but even some of these mc mansion mums wouldn't dream of asking for more.

Just do your own thing, a small box of chocs or something from Thornton like a slab with thanks piped on it?.

cw18

I never subscribed to it, though if one of my kids wanted to make a card and/or present I didn't discourage them. Guess I was lucky that mine are old enough that there weren't many kids took in things for teachers when they were at school.

Family & friends who are teachers say they much prefer things the kids have made (or at least obviously helped to make), and that they get inundated with chocolates and wine - a lot of which gets put into a box to be used as prizes at the next school event, or given away elsewhere if the dates on the edibles say they can't be kept for long enough.

Wombatchops

Thanks all of you. I'm relieved that people seem to be on the same page as me. I am definitely going to go for my daughter making cards.

In other frugal news, I have just picked strawberries in the garden with my DD1 and my DS (the strawberry plant was inherited from the previous owner of our house who sadly died). I have also taken DD1 to a birthday party and nipped out during it to go to Mr S, where I found their premium range garlic and coriander naan breads, two in a pack, reduced from £1.70 down to £0.05. I don't need them yet, but it would have been rude not to buy any, so I bought two packs, I have put them in the freezer, and am now feeling rather smug.

Needhelpsaving

Hi all,

I am more of a lurker on the boards, but I have been working throughout the year to declutter the house and live more simply & frugally.

About 2 weeks ago, I left my job to become a stay at home mum. This was a personal decision, which I appreciate isn't for everyone.

But, I can see from reading this thread that there are more improvements I can make. I am not comfortable making radical changes as I need to keep OH on board, but so far we have;

- Bought soapnuts to do the washing (the bag says 330 washes for £10), so far I haven't noticed any difference between these and the expensive washing powder we used to have.
-I am dipping my toe into the ebay pond - lets see how that goes.
- Meal planning
- Cash only at stores.
- Last night I cut my own hair under the guidance of youtube - just a trim to begin with until I get more confident.

I could kick myself for all of the money we used to waste.

Anyway, thanks for being such an inspirational bunch!

Wombatchops

Good luck being a SAHM Needhelpsaving. Although I'm at home at the moment, it's because I'm on maternity leave. I couldn't do it full time. But I admire those who can. I look forward to hearing more about the changes you make, and hopefully I can take inspiration from them.

lynnejk

Wombatchops wrote: »

... so I was thinking a card for each of them made by my daughter, and no gift of any kind. Do you all think that is OK? Or is that a frugality too far?

Needhelpsaving wrote: »

I think a HM card would be a lovely idea, it shows time and effort of the child and if your LO wrote a message or her name that would show the teacher what she has learnt throughout the year.

Hiya both - I quite agree with the above ^^^ from nhs A home-made card each would be great and show lots of thought.


Lx

Frugaldom

Just popping in to say that I have never subscribed to kids giving teachers presents as it just got too out of hand. Few other vocations are permitted/encouraged/expected to accept gifts, so I don't see any special difference with teachers, as they are paid to do what they do. Apologies to any teachers on here and I know we have many, but gift buying is something that very tight budgets just don't permit. If asked to contribute to a class gift, unless I was on first name familiar terms with all the other mothers, I think I would politely decline and not feel the need to explain why.

his_missus

Wombatchops - how many children are in the class???? £15 - £20 per child??? A bouquet from M00npig are about £30. What other gift is she planning to buy - a diamond ring? I'd tell her to go to A$da instead.


As an ex TA, we were quite happy with a thank you. People don't work in school to earn presents. Tell her you're doing your own thing as a hand made card would be more appreciated in your opinion.

Wombatchops

There are 27 in the class, and I have no idea what gift this particular mother has in mind. Champagne and a gold watch?

But I am definitely going to go with the homemade card idea. I know I don't have to do anything, but I feel like I will be viewed as mean if I don't, so this way I get to spend very little but not be considered a tightwad.